Can't get onto computer - please help!

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Two things for the first bit - how do I boot in safe mode, and where/when do
I type in the prompt?
 
I booted in safe mode command prompt, but there was never a chance to type in
a prompt. Do I do this after I log on, because I can't log on as it says the
parameter is incorrect.
 
Right, well I successfully did part 2, but after I logged on, and pressed
'Ctrl+Alt+Del' it said that the task manager had been 'disabled by my
administrator' so how do I sort that out? I think I'm nearly there now
though.
 
Please anyone - I'm desperate, and I reckon I'm really close to sorting this
thing out, after I can enable the task manager - any help really appreciated.
 
You may have an entry in your registry that has disabled
the Task Manager:

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\system\DisableTaskMg
r

It must be set to 0.

This is most easily changed if the machine is networked, and considerably
harder if it is not.

If this does not work then you may have to follow the suggestion
I made 24 hours ago (which you don't appear to have read). I also
note that you have resumed your habit of creating new threads
relating to the same problem. Why?
 
Well, I did read your thread, but I couldn't do number 1, so I tried the
command prompt, but there was never a time when I could type in anything, so
when am I meant to type in the prompt. I did number 2, and have got this
far.

How do I change the registry?

I apoligise for posting another thread and won't do it again, the first time
was an accident, the second was selfish - I'm sorry. Your help is really
appreciated.
 
The main problem that I'm having is that I can't log on - I can't use the
task manager, I can't 'run' anything, the icons appear when I open in safe
mode, but I can't use the task manager, so the only things I can do have to
be done before I log on.
 
To get to the Command Prompt, launch "My Computer" or
Explorer, then navigate to c:\winnt\system 32 and double-click
cmd.exe.

To launch the registry editor, launch "My Computer" or
Explorer, then navigate to c:\winnt and double-click regedit32.exe.

When reporting back, don't just say "I couldn't do this or that".
Be precise!
 
Quite a bit of progress made - basically, my computer would function normally
in safe mode. I can use the 'run' feature, my computer etc. I am currently
using Norton to search for the spyware. However, I got to the exact point
where the task manager should be disabled, but it wasn't on that list. So
here are my questions:

1. What would you recommend as the best virus 'searcher and destroyer'.

2. Is there any other way in which I could get the task manager to be
enabled in normal mode.

3. To summarise, how can I get my computer from working fine in safe mode,
to working in normal mode - and then I'm there.

Thankyou very much for your help so far.
 
Your assessment of of antivirus programs as "searchers and
destroyers" is overly optimistic. Virus scanners are quite
good at identifying and disabling viruses. They are only
moderately good at repairing the damage that's been done.
The reason is simple: In order to repair the damage they
would have to ***know*** what was there before. They
would require an intimate knowledge of all files and of the
whole registry, which they don't have.

It's like a doctor: When you break a leg then the doctor
can put it in plaster. He cannot heal it - the body must heal it
by itself. Unfortunately Windows has no self-healing capacity.
If a file is damaged then it remains damaged. If a registry
entry is incorrect then it usually remains incorrect.

Having said this, you can scan your PC from here:
www.antivirus.com ("free online scan"). You can also
install Trend Internet Security, or any of the other virus
scanners. Whether it will fix your problem remains to be
seen. I would have given up a long time ago in the recognition
that the machine is now compromised and needs to be
reloaded.
 
OK, I'll give that site a go - Norton couldn't find any viruses which is
strange, as I'm pretty sure I have them on there.

'compromised and needs to be reloaded.' What do you mean by this?

More progress however, I successfully logged on to my account in normal
mode, and am now re-installing Windows - maybe that's what you mean by
compromised and needs to be reloaded?

Hopefully, that'll do the trick, and I'll be back to normal.
 
Now I'm back to square one - how to get rid of the virus. Doesn't getting a
spyware removal tool involve going on the internet - which you and Windows
discourage? Should I try Windows Updates? Or any other particular brand
which might help me out?
 
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